Charles spiro



(No Model.)

C. SPIRO.

TYPE WRITING MACHINE.

` Patented June 14, 189% UNiTnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES SPIRO, OF NEV YORK, N. Y.

TYPE-WRITING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 476,903, dated J' une 14, 1892. Application filed February l0, 1891.l Serial No. 380,929. (No model.)

To tu whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES Spino, a citizen of the Un ited States, residing at New York, in the county ofNew York, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Type-Vriting Machines, of which the following is a specification, refer ence being 'had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention has relation to certain new and useful improvements in type-Writing machines, the operation, construction, objects, and advantages of which will be hereinafter described, and the novel features thereof will be particularly pointed out in the olaiins.

Refering to the drawings, Figurel is a side elevation of an improved type-bar and typeselecting adjuncts which constitute a part of this my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the principal adjuncts of the type-bar shown in Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a modified construction of type-bar and type-selectin g adj unets, a portion of the bar being shown detached. Fig. 4 is a side elevation showing the devices for operating the type-selecting means illustrated in Fig. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a keylever and key, the latter being shown in section parallel with and at right angles tothe key-lever. Figs. 6 and 7 are aplan and vertical section, respectively, of a portion of the platen shown in end elevation in Fig. l and means for removably connecting the platen with the carriage. Fig. 8 is a plan of an improved ink-pad adapted to the printing char` acters employed in this my piesentinvention. Fig. 9 is a plan of the type-selecting device illustrated in Fig. 3.

Like letters refer to like parts in all the figures. f i

Let A represent the platen of an ordinary type-Writing machine, and A the end casting or gudg'eon-plate thereof.

B represents the riser oi' standard, usually formed on the ends of the carriage B. The end plate A has a pin or stud A2 projecting` therefrom, into which is seated a screw'A. Passing through the riser or standard is a hollow journal B2, adapted to t the pin or stud A2 and having at or near its end a slot B3, communicating with a concave seat B, adapted to fit the head of the screw A2. Each end of the platen is constructed as thus described, so that when itis desired to exchange one platen forV another-as for example, a hard-rubber platen for manifold ing or a softerrubber platen for ordinary work-all that is necessary todo is tolooseii the screw As and to draw the journal B2 away from the pin or stud A2, as clearly shown in Fig. 6, and until these parts are separated from each other, when the platen can be bodily removed from the carriage and another substituted therefor, when a reversal of the movement of the several parts securely binds the platen in position for operation and use.

C represents the key-lever of the machine,

`which may be either straight or curved, as

shown by dotted lines, the latter forni being employed to raise keys into the plane of the various banks of the board of keys. In either case the key-lever is provided with a hole C and at its edge immediately opposite the hole with insets or shoulders O2, the hole and insets being for the reception and retention of a key, which is constructed in the following manner: A cup-shaped disk D, of Zinc or other suitable metal, is perforated and riveted to a shouldered bifurcated spindle D', ouf-brass or other suitable material, and within the disk are placed, first,a disk of card-board or other suitable material, having imprinted thereon the letter or character which the key is to represent and above and protectingtlie same a disk of Celluloid, glass, or other suitable inaterial D2. After these disks are placed within the body of the key the upper edge thereof is spun inwardly and downwardly upon the outer disk,as shown at D4. The bifurcations of the spindle D are a distance apart, adapted to receive between them the key-lever C, and the ends of the bifurcations are forced laterally toward each other and into the holes C in the key-lever. In this manner the key has a broad bearing upon the edge of the key-1ever, which prevents oscillation in one direction of the key on the lever, while the bifurcations of the spindle have a long bearing against the opposite sides of the key-lever to prevent oscillation in another direction, while the compression of the ends of thel spindle within the opening C' locks the parts together with great firmness, and this without the use of solder.

In Fig. 3 l have shown one forni of type IOS bar and type-selecting devices to be employed in connection therewith. In this instance on the base, table, or plate E of a type-writing machine or on any other part o't said machine which is adapted to receive and support the type-bars and their adj uncts I mount a bracket E', which may be secured to the plate E by a screw or screws E2. In this bracket, and pivotally vconnected 'therewith by means of a screw E2, is what I shall designate as a typebar carrier F, which is constructed in such a manner that it can be oscillated on its pivot E3 and will carry and permit the rotation ot` a type-bar Gtherein or thereon. To adapt it for these purposes, various formsof construction may be adopted, and among the require ments are that it shall be provided with an eye F or equivalent device for the connection of a draw-rod F2, extendingto the typelever C, which lever is understood to be provided with the usual returning-spring or its equivalent, so that when it is once depressed it will be by said spring or equivalent device returned to its normal position. This construction is so common in the art that I have not deemed it necessary to illustrate the same.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, the type-bar G is grooved, as at G', for the reception of a pin or screw F2, seated in the carrier, and said groove is disposed along iirst one side of said type bar, thence diagonally around, and thence along the opposite side of said type-bar, so that when said bar is reciprocated longitudinally through the carrier F by any means itis caused to rotate or semirotate thereby, as will hereinafter clearly be seen, bringing or causing the printing character (in moving from the printing-point on the platen to its normal position of rest) to move by the turning of the type-bar, so as to present said printing' character or type squarely against an inking-pad H, (see Figs. l and 8,) wherebythere is provided in a barmachine a mechanism with which printing direct from the type and without the interposition of an inkingribbon is accomplished. A spring G3 is coiled about the type-bar and connected at one end to the bar and at. the other end to the carrier. When a type-har is projected through the carrier, the spring is brought under tension, so that in the return movement ot the type-bar -that is, in returning from the printing-point to an upright position-the bar is by said spring moved longitudinally, so that the pin F2, Fig. 3, engaging the slotin the bar, causes the same to rotate and to present the printing character against the inking-pad.

As thus tar described it will be noted that but a single printing character has been mentioned as being provided on the type-bar and that with such single printing characterprinting direct from the type-bar by causing it to rotate on or with the type-bar is accomplishable, and I therefore do not restrict my invention to a use of more than one printing characteron each type-bar; but in view of the fact erases that the 'construction shown and described occupies more space at the pivot ot the typebar than in an ordinary bar-machine, and for the purpose of utilizing the old expedient of upper and lowercase characters on each typebar, I haveshown and will now proceed to describe that construction and modification thereof whereby I may employ more than one printing character on each type-bar.

Referring again more particularly to Fig. 3, Vit will seen that the printing character c, is at the printing-point ot` the platen A (indicated by a curved line) and that the printing character a is not in Contact with the platen. It therefore remains to specify the means employed for selecting a desired character. It will be noted that the slot or groove G in the type-bar G extends for such a distance that .the pin or screw F3 remains therein not only while the printing character a is at the printing-point, but also when the type a is at the same point, so that the rear end of the typebar G (which may or may not be provided with a rounded hardened head G2 and which is movable or fixed upon the rod, as desired, solely for the purpose of reducing the friction and lengthening the life of the typebar at this point) can move longitudinally within the carrier without rotating, thus producing a limit or stop to the rotation of the type-bar, and for such a distance as to bring the type a to the printing-point. In such a movement of the type-bar the head G2 would occupy the positionxindicated bydotted lines, Fig. 3. Now in order to determine in which of the two positions shown in said igure the type-bar shall be placed in the selection of a desired printing character I have provided a selecting-plate I, which has thereon a series of curved paths I I2, on which the head G2 may move, which paths are in different planes, distanoed from eachotherasare thetypeac. The screw or screws I3, by which the selectin g-plate is connected with the table E, passes through slots I4 in the plate, whereby it is adapted to be moved to bring either of the curved paths thereof opposite the head G2 of a type-bar. At the base of the plate I' these paths are coincident, so that when the type-bar is upright the plate can be moved readily, so as to select either ot` the paths, and thus to determine the extent to which the type shall be projected through the carrier. 'Ihe'curvature of either ot' the paths 1 I2 is sufficient to canse such a reciprocation of the bar as will turn it to present the type thereon against the inkingpad and when brought to the printing-point against the paper.

I have illustrated in Fig. 4 one of the many ways of moving a selecting-plate I, which in# volves the use of a link I5, a bell-crank lever I6, and a ligament or draw-rod I7, extending to and connected with a type-bar C. These devices move the plate in one direction,while a spring I8, connected at one end with theselecting-plate and at the other end with the table E by a pin, screw, orstaple I, moves the TOE IIC

Iig

plate in the opposite direction. Any other selecting device may be employed.

In Figs. l and 2 I have illustrated a modiedconstruction for the purpose of rotating the type-bar and for the purpose of selecting one of two or more characters mounted on said typebar. In this instance the type a and a are upon the periphery of a segmental block a2, Fig. 8,which is rigidly mounted on the end of the type-bar G. Now it will be seen that by rotating to a greater or less extent the type-bar G in the carrier F either one of the printing characters on the block a2 may be brought to the printing-point. In this instance I have illustrated a miterpinion J, which is secured to the bar G, and a fixed seotor K. The fixed sector is or may be an eX- tension of an arm of the bracket E', and it is provided with the teeth K', of such form and in such position as to mesh wit-l1 the pins J of the miter J. There are in this instance three of said pins and teeth. A stop J2occupies a position as one ofthe series of projecting members of the miter-gear and is adapted to be brought into contact with the body of the holder F, as clearlyshownnin Figs. l and 2. In this construction there is also employed a lever Il, mounted loosely on the pivot E3 of the type-bar, which leverV may be vibrated by any suitable means, such as the friction of the type-bar upon the lever. One end of this lever is adapted to be interposed between the body of the holder F and the stop .I2 whenever the other end of said lever comes into contact with a tooth l of the plate I, as clearly shown in Fig. l, and so as not to become interposed between said stop and the body of the holder when said end of the lever comes at a point between two of the teeth I of the selecting-plate I. The object of this lever L is to limit the rotative movement of the typebar G, so that a printing character or type a Shall be brought to the printing-point instead of the printing character or type a of the block a2, mountedon the type-bar G. In this form of printing character I find that more uniform and satisfactory inking of the type is produced by corrngating theinking-pad H, (see Fig. 8,) so thateaeh of the printing-type (L a will have a substantially squared or flat contact with the inking-pad.

In the rapid operation of the typebars hung as hereinbefore described there may be a tendency to overcome the tension of the spring G3 to such an extent that when the type are brought suddenly down upon the platen the tangential effect of the force applied to the bancarrier would be to project the type beyond the printingpoint transversely, so that I purpose to provide locking pins M M, between which lateral projections M on the type-barshall enter as the bar approaches the printing -point, thus securing accurate alignment in the printing.

In Fig. l the spring G3 exerts simply a torm sional tension on the bar G, so as to keep the teeth or pins .I in contact with the teeth of the plate J', while in the form illustrated in Fig. 3 the only necessary tension of the spring is longitudinal, so as to reciprocate the typebar in one direction to keep its head in contact with one or the other on the paths I I2 of the selecting-plates. The torsional effect in this modification is extremely slight and non essential, as the turning of the bars is positively accomplished by the pin and groove.

I have discovered by use that Zinc keys are preferable to nickel-plated keys for the following reasons: This material while being used takes on a moderate polish or gloss, and will retain the same byan ordinary use of the keyboard. This moderate gloss is much preferable to the glaring brightness of nickelplated keys as usually constructed and is less trying to the eyes of the operator, while the celluloid disks give a touch and feeling to a key which are not present where glass is used to cover the letter-disk of the key, noris it so liable to be broken by use or jarring or when spinning the edge D4 down upon it when making the key.

It is apparent that the type-block a2 may be rotatably mounted on the type-bar G, and that the rotating device, whether a gear or slot-andpin construction or any other welln known mechanical elements, would in that case be operatively connected with said block for turning the same to bring the type thereon against an ink-pad after each impression instead of with the type-bar when said block is rigidly connected therewith.

l. An oscillatory typebar, in combination with a bancarrier and with means for rotating the bar and for reciprocating the barv within the carrier by the oscillation of the bar, substantially as specified. i

2. A pivoted type-bar, a type-bar carrie pivotally connected with the bracket, and means for reciprocating the type-bar for varied distances Within the carrier, substantially as specified.

3. A pivoted type-bar carrier, a reciproca tory type-bar provided with multiple printing characters, and means for selecting the character of the type-barwhich is to be brought to the printing-point, substantially as specified.

4.. The combination, with a bracket, of a typebar carrier, a rotative and reciprocatory type-bar, and means for reciprocating and for rotating the type-bar to bring the printing character into contact with an inking-pad and withthe platen of a type-writing machine, the rotating and reciprocating devices being arranged in the path of the type-bar, substantially as specified.

5. A type-bar and means for its oscillation and reeiprocation to and from the platen toV IOL' ICS

IIO

ci procating the same and with means arranged in the path of the bar as it oscillates for the purpose of rotating said bar, substantially as specified.

7. A rotatable reciprocative type-bar pivotally mounted for oscillation, and means arranged in the path of its oscillatory *movement to rotate and means for reciprocating said bar, and means for determining the cX- tent of said rotation and reciprocation, sub.

stantially as specified.

` 8. A'type-barhavinga multiplicity of printlation and reciprocation,in combination with means for selecting one of the characters thereon to be brought to the printing-poinu substantially as specified.

9.y A reciprocative type-bar having a plu-` rality of printing characters and mounted fori oscillation, in combination with means for se-g lecting a character on the bar to be brought to the printing-point and means for rotating?v said bar sov as to bring the printing` character2 into direct contact with an inkingpad atten each impression, substantially as specified.

10. The combination, With a pivoted type!v bar carrier, of a type-bar and means for itsi rotation and reciprocation and a stop to determine the limit of its rotation, substan-i'k tially as specified. y

11.v The combination of a type-bar carrier" pivoted for oscillation, a type-bar movably mounted in the carrier for reciprocation, and a spring connecting the bar and carrier, sub-y stantially as specified. 12. The combination of a type-bar carrier pivotally mounted for oscillation, a type-bar mounted for reciprocation and rotation in the.y carrier, and a character-selecting device pro-` vided With paths for the type-bar, substantially as specitied.

13. The combination, With a platen, of af journal movably tted to the pin of the platen 16. In combination Witha key-lever having a hole therethrough, a key provided with a bifurcated stem and adapted to rest bodily upon the edge of the lever:to prevent oscillation and having its stem forced rigidly into the hole thereof", substantially as specified. y

17. The combination, With a key-lever having an inset at one edge and a hole in line with the inset, ot` a key having a bifurcated stem adapted to be forced rigidly into the hole of the key-lever, substantially as specified.

18. An oscillatory, reciprocative, and rotatable type-bar, in combination with means arranged in the path of the bar as it oscillates for the purpose of rotating said bar and with means for giving and determining the extent of its reciprocation, substantially as specified.

19. The combination of a type-bar, means for rotating said bar, means for determining the extent of its rotation, and a spring encircling said bar and connected thereto at one end and at the other to a non-rotatable part, substantially as specified.

In testimony Whereot' I aiiix my signature in presence'ot two Witnesses.

CHARLES SPIRO, Witnesses:

T. FREUDENTHAL, JULIUs E. LEVY. 

